Why aren't whistleblowers better protected?
There's a lot done to protect them.
Minister in the presidency Mondli Gungubele says whistleblowers are always on the radar screen of the government. Was Deokaran?
I am informed that she had not requested witness protection. Neither the National Prosecuting Authority, which runs the witness protection programme, nor the SIU was aware that her life was in danger.
The SIU tell me they had been working with her for some time. Even before the [personal protective equipment] procurement issues they'd worked with her on other aspects relating to corruption in the department of health.
Isn't that even more reason she should have been on the radar as a likely candidate for protection?
Yes.
Especially as she had reported threats and intimidation.
I'm not aware of that.
Shouldn't there be a whistleblower ombud, whose job is to be aware of people putting their lives at risk?
One would have to evaluate its likely effectiveness, but we do need to have greater protection for whistleblowers.
How is it that politicians get the full VIP protection treatment while whistleblowers, who, as the president says, provide the highest form of public service, are hung out to dry?
The protection provided depends on the situation on a case-by-case basis for the general public. Public officials, in particular ministers and deputy ministers, are entitled to certain amounts of protection which are set out in various prescripts from government.
R2.6bn was spent on their protection in the 2018/2019 financial year. Any idea how much is spent on whistleblowers?
That's basically a police issue. We have the Witness Protection Act, which falls under the department of justice.
Why doesn't it provide more protection for whistleblowers?
Unfortunately, it is not an act that is about the physical security of a whistleblower.
Shouldn't it include this?
Then it would become a different act . That's something to look at.
Any reason that money from the Criminal Assets Recovery Account shouldn't be used to protect whistleblowers?
It's something we can look at.
Why is so much spent on legal representation for dirty politicians and officials and so little on protecting whistleblowers?
Employees of government are entitled to legal representation. As far as I'm aware if they lose their case they're meant to pay back the money spent on their legal representation.
Is it true that taxpayers are forking out more than R500,000 a day to protect the rights of officials called as witnesses in the Life Esidimeni inquest?
I don't have those details. But I would see it as a problem, that officials who have been involved, allegedly, in wrongdoing spend a lot of time on suspension and getting paid. I would also see it as a problem that the cases drag on, often for too long. So, yes, the amounts being spent is a problem.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.